Frequently Asked Questions

What is International Roaming?

International Roaming allows you to use your mobile number to make and receive calls in countries or destinations while you are overseas.

What is a GSM world phone?

A. GSM world phones are devices that operate on international frequencies. These can include "tri-band" phones/devices (which operate on three of the four GSM frequencies) and "quad-band" phones/devices (which operate on all four of the GSM frequencies).GSM networks in North and South America operate at frequencies of 850 or 1900 MHz, while most networks in other countries operate at frequencies of 900 or 1800 MHz.

What is a GSM world phone?

A. GSM world phones are devices that operate on international frequencies. These can include "tri-band" phones/devices (which operate on three of the four GSM frequencies) and "quad-band" phones/devices (which operate on all four of the GSM frequencies).GSM networks in North and South America operate at frequencies of 850 or 1900 MHz, while most networks in other countries operate at frequencies of 900 or 1800 MHz.

Vodafone Ghana recommends quad band phones/devices for most international travellers. Since these wireless devices operate on all four of the international GSM frequencies, this ensures the broadest international coverage available.

How do I subscribe to roaming as a business customer?

Postpaid customers need to call the Call Centre or visit any of our retail shops; you can also contact your account manager for activation.

How can I ensure that I am connected to an overseas operator when roaming?

When roaming, your mobile phone will search for the strongest signal in that area to be connected. However, in cases where you are not automatically connected to the overseas network, you could do a manual selection of the overseas network on your mobile phone (Check your mobile phone user guide for more help). See 5 below.

How do I know if my phone has logged onto a foreign network?

Your phone will display foreign network name if it has logged onto one. The display will vary from phone to phone.

I have subscribed to the roaming service. Why can't I make outgoing calls?

The network coverage in that area may be weak, try moving to another area where it gives you a stronger signal. Alternatively, try manual scanning:

Settings>Options>Network>Change network selection to manual>Click scan for new network>Select a network other than the one on which you are currently registered.

(Check your phone user guide for more help).

Will I be able to send and receive SMS while roaming?

Yes, as long as the overseas network you are connected to supports this function, you may send or receive text messages.

How do I retrieve my voicemail while roaming?

To retrieve voicemail, dial 0200202020 for direct access to your voicemails. You will be charged at standard roaming rates for this service.

What are the roaming charges for receiving or making a call while overseas?

Depends on the country you are visiting; it’s advisable to check the rate by sending the country name to SMS short code 150 for rate information before you travel.

What steps should I take if my data services are not registering?

If you are having difficulty using data services outside Ghana, try these troubleshooting steps:

Try manual scanning:

Settings>Options>Network>Change network selection to manual>Click scan for new network>Select a network other than the one on which you are currently registered.

For PDAs/BlackBerry: Remove battery and reinsert.

How do I minimize my data charges when I use my iPhone/Smartphone outside Ghana?

The iPhone/Smartphone has many robust applications, so it's natural for users to transfer more data than they would using other handsets or PDA devices. Vodafone offers the following tips to keep your bill predictable:

Turn Data Roaming “OFF”

Use Wi-Fi instead of 3G/GPRS/EDGE

Turn Fetch New Data “OFF”

Consider purchasing an international data package

Reset the usage tracker to zero

Who do I call if I encounter problems while using the International Roaming Service?

If you are overseas, please call our Customer Care +233 302 6 11111 or email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or tweet @vodafoneGhana.

Do I need to activate roaming before travelling abroad?

Roaming is already provided on your SIM once you purchase a prepaid card.

What do l do before l leave Ghana?

performer

Will there be a special way to check my balance while roaming?

Whilst roaming you can check your credit by dialling the USSD *122# just like at home in Ghana.

What will happen if my balance is too low to make/receive a call?

If your balance is below the required amount for making a call, the call will not go through, once you topup again, you will regain the services of your phone. If someone tries to call you while your balance is too low, the call will not be connected.

What happens when I run out of airtime?

Vodafone Ghana in partnership with an international retail airtime & online distributor network called Ezetop Company have made credit available in over 300,000 international retail shops in over 20 countries and also online from www.ezetop.com. It is also available in over 100 Ezetop partner and mobile operator websites and on a Facebook store.

1. The credit is available in the following denominations$1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $70.

2. The subscriber will get the cedi equivalent of the denomination purchased in cedis based on prevailing exchange rate.

Option 2

You can call family back home to send you a recharge card and load by dialling *123* followed by the scratch card number then # (*123*scratch card number #).

Helpful Tips about GSM Roaming

Before embarking on any trip out of Ghana, kindly adhere to the tips below

Visit http://www.vodafone.com/content/index/about/roaming.html and read about the Vodafone World Package Plans. Note that it is generally cheaper to roam on a Vodafone partnered networks. Example are, Vodacom (South Africa) Safaricom (Kenya), (AT&T) United States, Vodafone United Kingdom, Australia, France, the Netherlands, etc..

If you are a prepaid or hybrid customer, ensure you have enough airtime bundled before you travel. For prepaid customers, dial the short code *150# and select option 4 to activate Roaming. For Hybrid customers, dial *128# and select option 3 to activate Roaming.

If you are a corporate post-paid customer, put in a written request through your Account Manager to activate Roaming seven days before you travel.

If you are an individual post-paid customer, visit any retail shop to complete a request form to activate Roaming before you travel.

If you are on any of our post-paid packages, be extremely mindful of your voice calls, text messages and most importantly browsing of the internet.

To reduce consumption of your data while roaming, use the Wi-Fi networks when in hotels, offices etc.

Also, take note of all applications running in the back ground of your phone and restrict them.

If you are using an android device, set data limit as well as data usage warning limit.

Minimise your use of social media such as Skype, Tango, Viber, Facebook, etc.

Mind the Kids

Keep your phone safe and report theft immediately to the Police

High Data Usage

The advent of smartphones comes with fantastic user experience on 3G, HSPA, 4G, etc. However, this accounts for upsurge in mobile data usage. To avoid incurring huge bills while roaming, take note of the applications running on your phone.

Applications are updated automatically or upon your request (already installed on the phone) and these may use up to 5MB to 1.2 GB of your data. It is recommended that you perform all application updates via Wi-Fi.

Other activities accounting for high data usage when roaming include use of social media applications such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Skype, Twitter, Tango, Viber, Imo, Line, etc.

Advertisements and pop-ups usually come with free software downloads from the android market (Play Store) which uses up data. To avoid this, you are advised to purchase professional versions of any software that you need.

It is highly recommended that, before you embark on any trip out of Ghana, inspect the settings of your phone and familiarise yourself with how to turn your data services on/off.

Set Data Limit on Android

Change the Settings icon on your home screen or apps screen, and then select 'wireless & networks'. Choose 'Data usage'. Toward the top of the screen you will find the on-off switch for 'Mobile Data'. In order to use mobile data this needs to be switched ‘on’ (i.e. if it is off you will not be using any cellular data).

Touch the 'Data usage cycle' drop down. This allows you to choose the date range within which you will measure data use. Set it to the same cycle as your mobile phone or tablet SIM-billing cycle by dragging the white lines to the correct dates.

Set a data usage warninglimit: simply drag the orange line by its right side to the level where you want to receive a warning. Now when your data usage reaches this level between the dates you have set you will receive a notification and can cut down on your data usage.

Now toset an absolute data usage limit beyond which your phone just will not use mobile data for the rest of the time period you set (you can override this).

Enable the 'Set mobile data limit' checkbox. A dialog pops up with further information about setting a mobile data limit.

Click 'Okay' and the red line at the top of the graph becomes active. Drag that line by its right side to set the limit - set a conservative limit: your mobile operator's judgement of how much data you have used may differ from what your phone or tablet records. (You may have been tethering and hot spotting which leads to an increase in data.)

When your data usage reaches the limit you have set, you will receive a further notification and mobile data will be turned off. Lots of features will no longer work, but you will at least be spared the pain of a surprisingly large bill at the end of the month.

In case of any issues while roaming, contact the Vodafone Ghana Experience Centre on +233505555111.

Upon Arrival

Your GSM phone assumes the characteristics of the wireless network in each country you visit. So if you are travelling your phone will work like a local wireless device.

Upon arrival, you should learn how to make local calls in the country visited.

While roaming outside Ghana be sure to make all international calls using the international format (+, country code, number). For example, to place an international call back to Ghana, dial +233, then the operator code and number (+23320 xxx xxxx). On most GSM devices, holding down the 0 key will cause the + sign to appear.

When you are abroad and turn on your phone, it will automatically search for a wireless network. Registration usually occurs within 30-40 seconds. When the name or network number of the local operator is displayed, your phone should be ready to use.

Like any other appliance, you will need a universal phone charger and plug adapters for the countries you are visiting.

In some countries, using a wireless phone while driving is prohibited. Contact the local tourist information office for regulations that may apply.

In case of any issues while roaming, contact the Vodafone Ghana Experience Centre on +233505555111. Visit http://www.expresspaygh.com to purchase air time while roaming. Expresspay App is available on Android and App store for quick and easy access.